Realization of synergies in international mergers and acquisitions

The volume of mergers and acquisitions in 2014 amounted to 3.6 trillion USD. Acquisition activity over the previous year increased by 26 % and the volume of mergers and acquisitions was the third highest in history after 2007 and 2006. The constantly increasing number of mergers and acquisitions and an increase in the volume of capital required for the realization of transactions stand in stark contrast to the high rate of failure. The primary motive for international mergers and acquisitions is the realization of synergies. The paper analyzes in detail the factors that influence the success of international mergers and acquisitions, especially strategic fit, cultural fit and integration. It also analyzes the motives which lead to realization of those transactions and how they relate to the realization of synergies. The results of previous studies are presented in the theoretical part, practical part is focused on a specific acquisition of Anheuser-Busch, which is part of the global brewing group Anheuser-Busch InBev, which in 2014 bought a small Czech brewery - Pivovar Samson